Walk to school and win big

WALK to school and win big is the message being sent to all primary school aged children in Gympie in the lead up to the annual Walk Safely to School Day on Friday, May 7.

Regular walking already helps children win the battle of the bulge and the fight against depression and heart disease.

And new to this year, walking can also help children win big prizes for themselves and their school with the launch of two new Walk Safely to School Day competitions.

The search for Queensland's Walking Class Hero is on and school students are invited to submit 50 words or less about why they like to walk.

The writer of the winning story will be crowned The Official Walking Class Hero State Ambassador and receive an official Walk Safely to School Day prize pack.

The pack includes an official Walking Class Hero trophy, a brand new pair of Start-Rite school shoes, a new Nyda backpack and Walk Safely to School Day t-shirt.

To go in the running, simply submit a 50 word story about how you like to walk to www.walk.com.au

Schools can win prizes too.

Submit a photo about walking, to go in the draw to win $500 of new Nyda sports equipment for your school, thanks to Hughes & Loveday Sports Warehouse.

Second prize is a $300 sports equipment voucher and five lucky runner-ups will win a $100 voucher, to enter visit www.walk.com.au

State Campaign Manager for Walk Safely to School Day Amanda Stubbs said getting involved in the Walk Safely to School Day initiative had always been an easy and fun way for schools and their students to enjoy the healthy habit of regular walking.

“A lot of children walk to and from school every day and we want to hear how they do it and what they achieve from it. That's why we're looking for stories to find this State's hero,” she said.

The event encourages parents, carers and their children to build regular walking to and from school into their daily routine, because children need a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity per day.